OFF BEAT: Beware the badger and other insurance claim follies

“Beware the Badger” would have been sound advice for a 71-year old woman from Bath, England, who locked a badger in her shed only to have it smash through a wall to escape, leading to an insurance claim.

Though hard to believe, this is but one on a list of — let’s call them “unconventional” — insurance claims reported by insurer Aegeas Retail Ltd., Hampshire, England.

Also making the list was the grandfather in Guildford, England, holding up his grandson over a laptop computer for a Skype exchange only to have the baby throw up on the computer for a $705 payout.

Or how about the pigeon which flew down the chimney into someone’s home and caused $12,915 in damages to carpets, ornaments and the sofa?

Continuing the animal parade was the dog in Galashiels, Scotland, which attempted to chase another dog, which unfortunately happened to be on television, which resulted in a destroyed TV screen.

And finally, there’s just bad luck, as when a man’s glasses were blown off his face and promptly run over by a truck, costing $757.

So, avoid badgers, babies, pigeons, dogs and windy days, and you just may be safe. Maybe.